Kyle Hendricks

It looks to be nothing more than a routine night off for the speedy 24-year-old infielder. Nick Loftin will start in his place at the hot corner and will bat seventh for the Royals against soft-tossing right-hander Kyle Hendricks on Friday evening in Kansas City.

Thomas' home run was his third of the year. He hit a solo shot off Kyle Hendricks in the fifth inning. Thomas has started the last two games even though it seems like he's sharing playing time with Jake McCarthy. Thomas has some pop in his bat, which could be the separator between him and McCarthy over the course of the rest of the season. Thomas is hitting .214 with a .670 OPS and 12 RBI in 56 at-bats this year.

Hendricks gave up three hits, walked three and struck out two. He was done in by the home run in this one. In the fifth inning, he allowed a solo shot to Alek Thomas before Corbin Carroll took him deep for a two-run dinger. Hendricks isn't a strikeout pitcher and has won just two of his 13 starts this year. He's difficult to roster outside of deeper formats. The 34-year-old right-hander is set to face the Royals on the road next weekend.

Carroll's home run was his sixth of the season. He belted a two-run shot off Kyle Hendricks in the fifth inning. Carroll is 7-for-31 (.225) with a double, four home runs and 12 RBI in his last nine games. He hit 25 home runs last year and seems to be tapping into his power more as of late. Carroll is hitting .211 with a .638 OPS and 35 RBI on the season.

Wicks was diagnosed with a Grade 2 right oblique strain, which foreshadowed a lengthy absence. The Cubs are moving him to the 60-day injured list now to make room on the 40-man roster for Jesus Tinoco. Kyle Hendricks will continue to occupy Wicks' spot in the Cubs' rotation.